The Francisco Cervelli Story: How an Unsung Hero Replaced an Unsung Hero

It all started with events that could be described as nothing less dramatic than New York’s worst nightmare.

Not only had the Yankees lost starting catcher and offensive juggernaut Jorge Posada to a leg injury, but they had also been forced to add his underappreciated backup to a long list of wounded teammates.

Jose Molina has been the unsung hero of New York’s star-studded roster for quite some time now.

A 2008 shoulder injury to Jorge Posada should have created an inescapable disaster, but Molina quickly proved himself to be the best backup catcher in all of baseball.

The consistency continued into the early part of 2009, as Molina was sporting a 3.59 catcher’s ERA. He had also developed a strong working relationship with the new starters on the staff.

Furthermore, Molina’s offense was far exceeding expectations. A career .238 hitter with a .278 OBP, he was now producing a .273 AVG while getting on base at a .333 clip.

A stubborn quad muscle yanked the team’s underrated backstop from the lineup, inserting a 23 year old rookie into the center of an increasingly scorching pressure-cooker.

Little did we know, an unsung hero was about to be replaced by an even more unexpected unsung hero.

Francisco Cervelli was not your everyday rookie. In fact, he was hitting just .190 in 58 at bats in Double-A Trenton.

That’s right; Cervelli had never even laced up his cleats at the Triple-A level, and appeared overmatched thus far in 2009. His 13 strikeouts in 16 games helped to emphasize his troubles.

However, Yankees bench coach and “catcher extraordinaire” Tony Pena had become enamored with the way Cervelli carried himself over the last two spring camps.

His quiet confidence and relentless work ethic earned him an opportunity. Ultimately, it was an open door that Cervelli never again wanted to watch close in front of him.

A broken wrist suffered during a 2008 spring training game against Tampa Bay caused him to lose a chance at the Major League roster, and he would not let it happen again.

Cervelli was not supposed to be in this situation. Actually, he appeared to be the fourth option at catcher following the signing of veteran backstop Kevin Cash.

In an attempt to prove he could compete with the best talent baseball had to offer, Cervelli joined the Italian roster of the World Baseball Classic.

Mentored by former superstar Mike Piazza, Cervelli was able to mature at a pace that spring training would not have made available to him.

He was now the leader of a country’s “National Team” of sorts, and was calling games against some of the world’s superior sluggers.

Though Piazza was never exactly a defensive whiz, his ability to teach Cervelli the nuances of the game greatly impacted his development.

Cervelli returned to Tampa with a newfound swagger, finally feeling as though he belonged on a Major League roster.

He has done more than simply “impress,” and to say that he has “held down the fort” would be an insult considering his performance.

Defensively, Cervelli has been every bit as dependable as Molina. He has thrown out 50 percent of attempted thieves, and currently holds a 4.03 catcher’s ERA.

More importantly, he has not been submissive or timid with veteran pitchers, as he has worked very well with C.C. Sabathia and Mariano Rivera in recent weeks.

In addition, Cervelli has also become a genuine threat in the batter’s box. His .375 AVG and .400 OBP have helped to redefine how teams approach the bottom of the order.

During last night’s game against Minnesota, Cervelli went out to calm down a struggling Phil Coke.

Coke, who was in search of his first ML save, was noticeably nervous and unable to find the strike zone.

Cervelli told him to “just play catch” with him and to “relax,” and Coke credited him with getting his mind back on track.

If you would have told me that the team’s leader in batting average on on-base percentage on May 19 would be Francisco Cervelli, I would have pulled rib muscles from laughing so heartily.

Regardless of preseason expectations, Cervelli is stabilizing baseball’s most important position in New York, ensuring that a current six game winning streak could develop.

I can’t help but sit back and ask myself…where would the Yankees be right now “sans Francisco”?

Yankees Lineup Dissected, Evaluated: Where Do the Bronx Bombers Stand?

In the wake of countless college graduation ceremonies being performed across the Untied States, it is once again time to put the Yankees through the GPA gauntlet.

After giving out the individual April awards during a May 1 banquet, we will now focus on where New York stands after a 2-6 stretch following that date.

The issues surrounding New York’s starting rotation and middle relief have been well documented and assessed, and represent a major catalyst for the team’s 15-16 start to 2009.

This grading evaluation will instead focus on the Yankee lineup; a group of men that were anticipated to pummel opponents’ rotations until they cried in the corner of the dugout in the fetal position.

Before I hand out the A’s, C’s, and F’s, let’s first focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the offensive attack at this juncture of a marathon baseball season.

Offensive Strengths:

The Yankees currently stand at 8th in MLB with a .273 team batting average, as well as 6th with a .353 on-base percentage. Additionally, they are 2nd in the league in slugging (.468), 4th in OPS (.821), 2nd in home runs (48), and 5th in runs scored overall (172).

They have shown flashes of greatness, and have had a knack for hitting the long ball when they need it most in recent weeks. The bullpen has helped to mask this fact, but there is some reason to view the situation as “half full” moving forward.

New York sits near the top of baseball in a bevy of offensive categories, all while performing far below its expectations and skill set.

Offensive Weaknesses:

The season has produced many games that have been first round knockouts, as the starting rotation has left New York with seven and eight run deficits to overcome.

Many other games have come down to clutch performance, a skill once the lifeblood of any Bronx lineup. This season, however, the team is currently third to last in the AL with a .244 AVG with runners in scoring position (RISP).

The RISP number is also slightly skewed toward the positive, as many of these hits have occurred in convincing victories. The reality is even more dismal than the statistics indicate.

To make matters worse, the Yankees hit just .240 with RISP and two outs, a stat that truly encompasses the team’s struggles to produce with pressures magnified.

The inability to drives in back-breaking runs late in games has left the bullpen in a position to instead break the hearts of Yankees fans.

Semester One Grading Assessment

Valedictorian: Johnny Damon (A+)

After yet another clutch home run against the Orioles on Sunday, Damon now has 9 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R, and a .314 batting average.

Damon has had an incredible resurgence in 2009, and has helped to keep a struggling lineup afloat in recent weeks. In nine May games alone, he has produced 5 HR, 15 RBI, and a .350 average.

The Good:

1. Melky Cabrera (A)

Once left for dead within the Yankees organization, Cabrera was as much trade bait as he was a prospective starter. He has saved a center field situation that had become a black hole, hitting .333 in 81 at bats. He has also added 4 HR, 10 RBI, and a .407 OBP.

2. Robinson Cano (A-)

Cano has often been considered a lazy or nonchalant athlete, appearing to approach the task at hand without full dedication. His hard work during the offseason has paid off, as he is hitting .321 with 6 HR, 18 RBI, and 21 R. A recent homecoming of certain bad habits at the plate has caused Cano’s consistency to slip, preventing an A grade.

3. Nick Swisher (B+)

The true darling of the Yankees roster in 2009, Swisher had box scores treating him as kindly as fans during April. He ended the month at .312 with 7 HR, 19 RBI, and a stellar .430 OBP.

An ‘A’ grade has quickly fallen to a ‘B+’, as Swisher is just 3-for-23 in May (.130). The three hits have occurred in consecutive games, however, so perhaps he is ready to get back on track.

The Bad:

1. Derek Jeter (C+)
If Jeter’s stats were stretched over a full season, he would produce the lowest AVG, OBP, and RBI totals of his entire career. He had two 0-for-5 games in the last week alone, and has been rather pedestrian overall.

The Captain nearly climbed out of the “bad” category as a result of numerous clutch performances in the early weeks of April, helping to prevent an even more embarrassing start for the Yankees.

2. Hideki Matsui (C-)

“Godzilla” was counted on to provide pop from the middle of the lineup in order to compensate for the losses of Alex Rodriguez and Xavier Nady. In 98 at bats, he has produced just 2 HR and 12 RBI, offering nothing more than a keen eye to New York.

A .410 OBP for the month of April is the only thing saving Matsui from the “ugly” category, as he is just 7-for-33 in May (.212) with 3 RBI and a .250 OBP. He also has a propensity to clog up the bases due to his damaged knees.

The Ugly:

1. Mark Teixeira (D-)

Teixeira arrived in New York with a $180 million contract and lofty expectations. The subsequent injury to A-Rod then placed the lineup squarely onto his shoulders, and he couldn’t handle the responsibility. Still hitting an appalling .198, Teixeira has turned a “historically slow starter” moniker into fears of a never-ending train wreck.

While “Big Tex” is still on pace for 40 HR and 97 RBI, he has come up very small. He has resembled Pedro Cerrano from Major League, as he looks as though he has never seen a professional curveball before. Boos will turn into disownment is he does not turn it around with A-Rod hitting behind him.

2. Third Base (F)

The combination of Cody Ransom, Angel Berroa, and Alex Rodriguez collected just 1 HR, 9 RBI, .178 AVG, and .233 OBP in 25 games. Yankees 3B were also leading the league in errors at the point of A-Rod’s return. Ramiro Pena played admirably, but his individual moments cannot overcome the calamity of New York’s “frigid corner.”

The Infirmary:

1. Jorge Posada (A-)

Before an injury placed him on the DL, Posada was also in the running for valedictorian. His .312 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBI, and .402 OBP in just 23 games were numbers fit for an All-Star starter at the position. He reenergized the lineup, and had proven that a surgically repaired throwing shoulder would not at all affect his production in the batter’s box.

2. Xavier Nady (Incomplete)
Nady played just seven games before injuring his throwing arm, hitting .286 with 2 RBI. He is very important to New York’s second half success, but has not played enough to earn a grading evaluation.

3. Jose Molina (B)

Molina is potentially the best backup catcher in all of baseball. His defensive prowess is unquestioned, and he quickly became the biggest luxury on New York’s bench.

Not known for his offense, Molina’s .273 AVG is more than serviceable considering his expectations. Unfortunately, a recent quad injury has left the Yankees scrambling for a worthy and dependable backstop.

Cumulative GPA:

After calculating all of these grades on an even scale for each grade, the Yankees offense possesses a 2.74 GPA. This causes them to fall somewhere between a C+ and B- in terms of an overall grading evaluation.

Considering the consistent pitching struggles and strength of schedule, New York is going to have to hit closer to an A- in order to earn itself a playoff spot come October.

The New York Yankees Awards Ceremony: April 2009

MVP of the Month:

Derek Jeter – There are hitters on the Yankees roster with better stats and flashier personas, but Jeter continues to quietly dominate outside of a box score.

He has already produced more clutch hits in enormous situations than anyone not named Melky Cabrera, and has silenced critics of his perceived offensive decline.

Pitcher of the Month:

Andy Pettitte – Seemingly left for dead after a horrid 2008 second half, Pettitte has been the Yankees stopper time and time again in 2009. Amidst serious bullpen concerns and struggles by his mates in the starting rotation, he has gone 2-1 with a 2.96 ERA.

Pettitte’s arm appears fresh and revitalized, and he could provide a huge lift in a division he historically dominates.

Hitter of the Month:

Nick Swisher – Swisher is possibly the team’s MVP, biggest surprise, unsung hero, hitter of the month, and comeback player of the month all in one. Coming off of a season in which he hit just .219; Swisher generated 7 HR, 19 RBI, 15 BB, 21 R, and a .312 AVG. in the month of April.

Swisher has stabilized the Yankees right field situation after Nady’s injury, as well as provided a much needed emotional spark on and off the field.

Rookie of the Month:

Mark Melancon – Melancon may have only arrived a week before the end of April, but he has already supplied New York with a secret weapon. He has worked himself out of a bases loaded jam in Fenway Park, and looked poised and electric in one inning of work in Detroit.

Melancon has helped to pull hands away from the bullpen panic button, and keeps hopes alive of the rebirth of a reliever in the mold of Joba Chamberlain. He throws hard, and more importantly, he throws with conviction. He has 3 IP, 1 H allowed, 2 K, 1 BB, and a .100 BAA.

Comeback Player of the Month:

Robinson Cano – My original selection for AL Comeback POY before the season’s beginning, Cano has reemerged as a pure hitter once compared to Hall of Fame 2B Rod Carew.

Cano ended April hitting a robust .366, with 5 HR and 16 RBI. His defense has rapidly improved to Gold Glove levels, and he has displayed a more developed eye for pitch selection.

Rolaids Relief Man of the Month:

Phil Coke – Normally an award reserved for Mariano Rivera, Coke has earned the right to call himself the Yankees reliever of the month. He struggled mightily in the early part of the month, but responded admirably when New York needed him most.

Following Brian Bruney’s last pre-DL appearance on April 21, Coke has pitched 4.1 scoreless AND hitless innings, lowering his ERA from 9.00 to 3.72. He picked up an important win on the month’s final day, and has limited the impact of Bruney’s injury.

Biggest Surprise:

Melky Cabrera – Cabrera was not only left for dead, but also offered to virtually every team in need of a center fielder as trade bait. New York had decided that he was not at all a part of their future plans, and would prove to be insignificant upon Austin Jackson’s arrival.

Brett Gardner’s poor start, coupled with Xavier Nady’s injury, reopened the door for Cabrera in a Yankee uniform. He responded with a .327 AVG, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, and two game-winning hits. The success may not be sustainable, but Cabrera has been invaluable thus far.

Biggest Demise:

Chien-Ming Wang – How does a 54-20 career record quickly transform into a 0-3 record, 34.50 ERA, 4.83 WHIP, and .622 BAA? The Yankees are currently trying to figure that out, as last year’s ace has been relegated to a Minor League “rehab program.”

Wang failed so miserably that New York had to invent an injury just to figure out what is wrong between his ears. A recovery from last season’s foot injury could be contributing to the problem, but it also appears that he has lost all confidence in himself. His power sinker has become as flat as people once believed Earth to be.

The “Luis Sojo” Unsung Hero Award:

Jose Molina – In honor of former Yankee Luis Sojo, this award is intended to shine light on a player often lost in the fray of a team filled with big names and even bigger contracts.

Molina may not produce gaudy numbers, but he may be the best backup catcher in all of baseball. Hitting .276 with 1 HR and 5 RBI, he has actually been a better offensive contributor than anticipated.

Molina’s defense, however, is what truly sets him apart. He was the league’s best backstop in throwing out runners in 2008, and has already caught 50 percent of attempting thieves this season. His importance is elevated due to long-term concerns about Jorge Posada’s surgically repaired throwing shoulder.

Honorable Mention: Jorge Posada’s Right Arm – Speaking of Posada, his shoulder has responded very well to the extensive rehab he put in during the offseason. Often maligned across MLB, Posada’s arm has thrown out 10 of 25 runners (40%) this year. He has added 3 HR, 14 RBI, .275 AVG, and .366 OBP; showing that he is still a premiere AL catcher.